Cowboys roundtable: Discussing the Kaiir Elam trade, tight ends, and Micah Parsons’ contract extension

Our latest Cowboys roundtable on Kaiir Elam, the tight end position and Micah Parsons

Every week, we gather the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the roundtable. This week we have Jess Haynie, David Howman, Tom Ryle, RJ Ochoa and Brian Martin.

What are your expectations for CB Kaiir Elam who recently came to Dallas in a trade?

The Cowboys added a former first-round pick at cornerback when they acquired cornerback Kaiir Elam from the Bills. Dallas sent a fifth-round and seventh-round pick to Buffalo, while receiving a sixth-round pick in the trade. Elam has one year remaining on his rookie deal that’s worth $2.5 million this year, with a fifth-year option for 2026.

Elam has been underwhelming since entering the NFL, and the Bills certainly have felt that given that they traded up in the draft to select him. In the three years playing in the NFL, Elam has played over 700 coverage snaps and has allowed a 73% completions rate, a 92.6 passer rating allowed, and has made only three pass breakups.

Brian: I actually don’t have a lot of expectations for CB Kaiir Elam, despite being a fan of his coming out of college. I like the fact that Dallas is trying to resurrect his career, but his time in Buffalo doesn’t inspire a lot of hope a change of scenery will will change things. I have my fingers crossed it all works out, but I expect him to be nothing more than a depth piece.

Tom: I don’t expect much from this move. It looks like a typical insurance move in case they get washed out at the position in the draft. If they don’t, he’s hardly a lock to make the roster.

RJ: I don’t have a ton of huge expectations, but I applaud and appreciate the move in a philosophical sense. Cornerback is a position with a sneaky high level need and to bring in a veteran who was recently thought to be legitimate by plenty of evaluators has me pleased.

Howman: I think the expectation should be that he comes in and starts on the outside in nickel packages, moving Bland to the slot. Elam entered the NFL with a high pedigree and has traits that are tailor made for Matt Eberflus and this defense. He’d offer really high end depth, but I think the Cowboys are aiming for more than that with Elam.

Jess: I have the same expectations that I had for Noah Igbinoghene. In other words, none. These “one man’s trash” moves don’t generally work out, but we got him for next to nothing so why not?

How do you feel about the tight end position for Dallas and should they look to add to the position in the draft?

Last season was very unproductive year from the tight end position in Dallas. The only receiving touchdown scored by a tight end in 2024 was Luke Schoonmaker in Week 12 against Washington. There was high expectation from the group, with Jake Ferguson being the highlight of the position. Injuries played a part in the problem, but the lack of scoring and assistance in the redzone was a serious issue for this tight end room in Dallas. Is it time to think about restocking the position or was it just a down year?

Brian: Although I think Dallas is fine at TE for the 2025 season, I wouldn’t be surprised if they took advantage of a deep TE draft class. I like Luke Lachey on Day 3, but I could see a scenario where Tyler Warren could be in play for them with the 12th overall pick in the first-round. He could actually take just as much pressure off of CeeDee Lamb as any WR they could draft.

Tom: I’d be more inclined to subscribe to Brian’s position if they didn’t have so many more urgent needs in the draft. I can’t see using a premium pick on one of the few solid rooms they have.

RJ: More than anything I think that I think the front office will want to give Luke Schoonmaker every chance to impress given his draft stock. With that being the case and with Jake Ferguson fairly cemented ahead of him I am more than fine with them addressing the need minimally this year if at all.

Howman: I love me some Jake Ferguson, but the Cowboys cannot count on him being the unquestioned starter this year. I’m not saying they have to draft Tyler Warren at 12 (he probably won’t even be there) but there are some talented prospects in this year’s class. Luke Lachey is a fun name, but I think Harold Fannin could be the steal of this year’s draft.

Jess: Well, the first thing I’ll say is that you should read my recent piece on the site about the TE position. But while that focused on Ferguson vs Schoonmaker for the starting job, the one thing I didn’t address was if Dallas could just make them both backups to a highly-touted rookie. I would only consider that for Tyler Warren in the first round. Otherwise, you have some pretty good options already fill out a depth chart, but a Day 3 pick on someone you like couldn’t hurt.

Will Micah Parsons get his deal soon and what do you predict his contract to peak at?

The rumors coming out of Frisco is that Dallas and Micah Parsons are working toward getting a deal done. Last season, this defense had a taste of what it was like in Parsons’ absence and it wasn’t good. Parsons has cemented himself as one of the premier players in the league and he’s clearly one of the best players on the Cowboys roster. The issue will be his price tag and it will be very high. With bargain basement deals and allowing other players to seek employment elsewhere in the league, it’s clear this is in preparation for a big payout for Parsons.

Brian: With the majority of free agency in the books there’s really no rush to get Micah Parsons’ deal done. I would prefer it done sooner than later, but I have little doubt it will eventually be finalized. And when it’s completed, I expect he’s going to be making at least $40m per season.

Tom: Well, there’s still a chance the price for a non-quarterback could get nudged higher, so I figure they will talk pie and drag it out as long as possible. It may take a Parsons holdout to get the deal done.

RJ: Honestly I do think that we are going to see it happen soon, although that is a pretty subjective term. Assuming it does wind up happening I fully believe that he will turn in as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL because these matters are predictable to anyone who isn’t the Dallas Cowboys front office.

Howman: I have said for some time that the Cowboys will take this down to the wire and then franchise tag Micah Parsons to extend the deadline. I still think that will end up being the case, though I’d be thrilled to be wrong. Whenever it happens, though, Parsons will be the highest paid non-QB in the league. The only difference will be how much more that number rises between now and when the deal is done.

Jess: Who knows? Not if this front office does things in its typical fashion. As for the amount, I’d say $37-$39 million is where it lands.